188+ step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story Structure for Screenwriters 160507a |
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By: Kal Bishop Posted: 2007-05-20 09:48:38 |
| FORWARDThe 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].THERE IS ONLY ONE STORYTHE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:*****Lack of Commitment and Committing*****Post the Physical Separation and before the Trials, a stage of Lack of Commitment is not unusual. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), in the bedroom: Clyde gives Bonnie the option of getting out now. In Thelma and Louise (1991), both heroines sit it out in a hotel while they wait for Thelma to make a decision.*****Interdiction to Trial 3*****A Refusal or Interdiction precedes Trial 3, which is, after all, a confrontation with the Outer Challenge. In Straw Dogs (1971), the Interdiction is symbolic: David warns Amy to stop messing with the blackboard.*****Inner Resolve*****With the coming of the Inner Resolve, the Hero says goodbye to his Old Self and the Old World. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis drives away and this will be the last time they see each other.*****Outer Cave*****The Outer Cave, whichever it is (First Threshold, Road of Trials or beyond) is where the Hero confronts his Outer Challenge. In Straw Dogs (1971), the boys leave and all the while laugh at David.*****Meeting the Oracle*****The purpose of the Oracle is to send the Hero towards his Expansion of Consciousness and the representation of it, which is often a tangible. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Alma asks Ennis if he knows about a guy called Jack. |
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